Matthaeus: Lothar Matthaeus will not become the head coach of Hungarian side FC Fehervar after talks between the parties broke down, the club announced yesterday. The 48-year-old former head coach of the Hungarian national team flew to Budapest last Friday to discuss the terms of his employment at Fehervar after a prior agreement was reached on June 10.
Saviola: Real Madrid have agreed to sell out-of-favour striker Javier Saviola to Benfica for €5 million, the two clubs said. Argentine Saviola, 27, who has barely featured for Real in the past two seasons since joining from Barcelona, has signed a three-year deal with an option for a further season.
Toure: Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure has extended his contract with the Primera Liga and European champions by a year until June 2012, the club said. Barca have also increased the value of the 26-year-old Ivory Coast international's buy-out clause to €100 million from €60 million.
Drenthe: Royston Drenthe looks increasingly likely to be a Fiorentina player next season but his move to the Italian club could be on a loan deal. "Drenthe is our objective," Fiorentina sporting director Pantaleo Corvino said. "We have spoken with Real Madrid, and they accepted our proposal of a loan. Drenthe is in favour of the move."
Rallying: Ford driver Mikko Hirvonen maintained his lead on the second day of the Rally of Poland yesterday. The Finn was 12 seconds ahead of compatriot Jari-Matti Latvala, also in a Ford. Citroen's Spanish driver Dani Sordo was in third place, 38.5 seconds behind the leader. World champion Sebastien Loeb was down in 13th place.
Ryder Cup: Six courses were named as possible venues for the 2018 Ryder Cup if Germany wins the right to host the match. The courses are: A-Rosa, Bad Saarow; Golfanlage, Winsen, Hamburg; Munchen-Valley, Munich; Gut Kaden, Hamburg; Schloss Beberbeck, Hofgeismar, Kassel and Wittelsbacher Ausgleichsfond, Neuburg. France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden are also bidding to stage the competition.
Horse racing: Epsom Derby winner Sea The Stars will not run in today's Irish Derby at The Curragh. Leading Irish trainer John Oxx has decided the ground is too soft and the colt has been switched to the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park in England next Saturday. Sea The Stars sparkled at Epsom with an easy victory over Aidan O'Brien's Fame And Glory.